Want Solar??? Residential PV Info

For a quick primer on residential solar systems, ECO Building Pulse shared the following...

Reach for the Sun

A guide to understanding photovoltaic systems for residential applications.

By Hallie Busta

Federal and state incentives have lowered the cost of residential photovoltaic (PV) systems, piquing the interest of homeowners hoping to slash their energy bills. But when choosing among the growing stable of solar technologies available, designers must consider other factors beyond economics.

Before specifying a PV system, an architect or consultant must calculate how many kilowatt-hours of energy a project will require. Austin, Texas–based architect Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, uses an energy-modeling program that combines information about the space’s use and design metrics to estimate energy loads. Considerations include the roof’s lifespan, occupants’ water consumption and thermal comfort needs, and phantom energy sinks, such as outlets loaded with charged devices.

The local climate and the project’s orientation also will affect the estimated energy load. Experts recommend installing solar panel systems on expansive, south-facing roofs (for projects in the Northern Hemisphere) that are free of vents and obstructions from the sun. Panels tend to function more efficiently in cooler climates, like all electronics, although year-round sunlight is key. Permit fees and installation costs are other considerations, and designers should check whether the local utility company will tie in the residential system to the city grid.

For residential construction, PV systems generally fall into two categories: rack-mounted and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), both of which are usually installed on rooftops. Rack-mounted panels comprise 86 percent of the market, according to a 2013 survey by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The remaining share is split among rooftop BIPVs (4 percent), ground-mounted panels with a fixed tilt (8 percent), and ground-mounted panels fitted with solar tracking (2 percent). Most solar cells are made of crystalline silicon.

On a per-area basis, rack-mounted systems are about one-third more efficient than most BIPVs, which lack multiple surfaces for conductive cooling. PV systems on the market today can generate up to 1.4 kilowatt-hours per roofing square each year depending on their geography, says Mark Stancroff, director of building-product manufacturer CertainTeed’s solar division. Typical PV systems in new construction projects can generate 2 kilowatt-hours to 4 kilowatt-hours in perfect conditions, while the average retrofit system can generate up to to 5 kilowatt-hours, according to LBL’s study.

Rack-mounted systems on new construction averaged $5.30 per watt in 2012, down from $7.40 per watt in 2009, LBL reports. New-construction BIPV systems averaged $7.60 per watt in 2012, down from $8.70 per watt in 2009. Developments in microinverter technology—which allow solar panels to function individually, rather than forcing them to be part of an array—could also lower costs and help designers maximize the roof’s solar potential, experts say.

Have you considered adding solar to your home?

About the author

Since 1995, Master Inspector Michael Leavitt has continued to run the finest inspection firm in Northern Utah. Michael Loves to write and this business portion of his blog captures fun moments and informative topics geared towards educating and entertaining homeowners and other real estate professionals. Michael has consistently built his inspection reputation by being extremely thorough in our inspection protocols. If you are looking for the finest inspection firm in Northern Utah, then confidently draw upon Michael’s experience and order your inspection today!!!